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City of L.A. Leads the Way by Launching Unprecedented, Far-Reaching Recycling Program

by on December 9, 2016

City Council Adopts $3.5 Billion 10-Year “Zero Waste LA” Program To Expand Recycling to All Businesses and Residents Throughout the City

LOS ANGELES (December 9, 2016)—Charting new territory and further establishing itself as an international sustainability leader, the City of Los Angeles today adopted a massive and ambitious new public private partnership program to expand recycling services to every business and resident within the City.

Under the new system, 65,000 currently unregulated commercial and multifamily customers will now benefit from recycling and stable pricing benefits afforded under the City’s residential waste and recycling collection system.

With the overarching goal of reducing waste going to landfills by one million tons annually by the year 2025, Zero Waste LA will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions by expanding recycling services and opportunities, mandating clean fuel low emission vehicles, and more efficient truck routing. Immediate direct benefits to customers will include an alleviation in traffic congestion, consistent, fair and equitable rates, and the highest level of customer service. Solid waste workers will experience enhanced health and safety conditions.

“The health of a community should be measured not just by what it creates, but also by what it wastes,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Zero Waste LA will bring a historic expansion of recycling and reduction of pollution to every corner of Los Angeles, and set an example of efficiency and sustainable practices for cities everywhere.”

The $3.5 billion 10-year Zero Waste LA program is set to launch in the summer of 2017 and will invest more than $200 million in new and improved solid waste infrastructure, with an emphasis on upgrades to and inspections of waste and recycling facilities that are disproportionately located in low-income communities. New collection vehicles, technologies, and other improved equipment will further protect solid waste workers.

“L.A. will continue to lead the way in showing how a sustainable approach to city services can yield a huge impact in protecting our environment,” said Heather Repenning, Vice President of the Board of Public Works. “The approval today of this groundbreaking program advances us toward our Zero Waste LA goals of increasing recycling and decreasing food waste, reducing greenhouse gas and air pollution, and improving the quality and safety of the equipment and environments in which our dedicated waste haulers work.”

“LA Sanitation looks forward to delivering on the goals, benefits, and customer services of Zero Waste LA,” said Enrique C. Zaldivar, general manager of LA Sanitation. “Since 1985, we have delivered top notch recycling services fitting of the 21st century to our residential customers, and we are thrilled to now be doing the same in the commercial and large multifamily sector with our Franchise partners.”